Lakers Triumph Over Knicks in Overtime Thriller

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers edged the New York Knicks 113-109 in an overtime nail-biter on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena, fueled by a remarkable performance from Luka Dončić.

Star guard Luka Dončić, in his 38 minutes of play, scored 32 points, contributed seven rebounds, provided 12 assists, and recorded four steals, continuing his stellar play since joining the Lakers in a blockbuster trade. This victory marked the Lakers’ eighth straight win and improved their record to 40-21, securing their second seed in the Western Conference.

“Our guys, in what felt like a playoff game at times, really just gutted out a win,” said JJ Redick, a commentator who identified key strategies before the game.

Despite trailing by as many as 13 points during the contest, the Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter. They were guided by Dončić and LeBron James, who added 31 points and 12 rebounds. Early in the game, the Lakers struggled with their supporting cast shooting just 6-of-17 in the first half, missing fourth option Rui Hachimura due to injury.

In a competitive contest, New York’s Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 39 points. He struggled in the closing moments following a sprained ankle, managing only two baskets in the final frame.

The game’s tension grew in the fourth quarter as the Lakers intensified their defensive efforts. “The defense gave up 15 points in the fourth quarter, and we hang our hats there when we weren’t shooting the ball well,” James said.

Rookie Dalton Knecht made significant plays, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, and Gabe Vincent emerged as a pivotal contributor with three successful three-pointers in the fourth.

“I think Gabe won the game with those three threes in the fourth quarter,” Dončić noted, recognizing Vincent’s impact.

Former Laker and NBA legend Pete Maravich was also acknowledged as Dončić surpassed him in career assists, moving into 166th place with 3,564 assists.

The Lakers are looking ahead to a challenging road trip, set to face several competitive teams including the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, as they aim to extend their impressive streak.

“We probably shouldn’t have won that game,” Austin Reaves remarked after the hard-fought victory, noting the Lakers’ need for better offensive execution in upcoming matches.